கொஞ்சம் தேநீர், கொஞ்சம் சிரிப்பு, கொஞ்சம் Floriculture

Breeders

Floriculture field பற்றி குட்டி குட்டியாய் group-ல் ஏதாவது அவ்வப்போது எழுதினால் என்ன என்று முன்பிருந்தே யோசனையாய் இருந்தது; தொடர்ந்த தயக்கமும் இருந்தது; போரடிக்குமோ என்று!

ஜெயமோகனையே (!?) சகித்துக் கொண்டாயிற்று; இது எம்மாத்திரம்!!! அதோடு, கொஞ்சமாக just information-ஆகவாவது யாருக்காவது உபயோகமாகாதா என்ன?...

Floriculture எனும் சமுத்திரத்தின் கரையில் நின்று கால் நனைத்துக் கொண்டு, உள்ளங்கையில் நீரை அள்ளிப்பார்க்கிறேன் - ஆவலோடு, ஆச்சர்யத்தோடு, வியப்போடு, காதலோடு!

1. Flower Breeders

In Rose Cut Flower Industry, 99% of the varieties grown internationally are patented to breeders; there are around/more than 40 to 50 breeders in Roses itself; Growers have to pay Royalty to the breeders if they want to grow particular breeder's variety.

Royalty amount is based on per ha basis or plant count basis (Approx. Royalty amount will be around 40000 to 45000 Euros/ha; it depends on breeder and popularity of the variety.

Breeders spent lot of money on developing new varieties; Royalty is the only income source for them. Most of the Indian Growers do not pay Royalty!.

Some Flower Importing Countries insist on Royalty Certificate (which is issued by the breeder to grower after the payment); without RC we can't export to all the countries.

Life of a variety in Market is fluctuate; good variety remains 6 to 7 years; some varieties disappears from market within 1 or 2 years. So Breeders always active and releases 10 to 15 new varieties every year. New varieties to be tested in three different altitudes (because colour, bud size and length of the stem differs with growing altitude).

High Altitude - 2300 mtrs and above Medium Altitude - 1800 mtrs Lower Altitude - 1200 to 1500 mtrs

There are three kinds of Cut Flower Roses basically.

1. Hybrid Teas - big bud size suitable for high and medium altitudes 2. Intermediates - medium budsize suitable for all altitudes 3. Sweet hearts - small budsize suitable for lower altitudes

At present in our farm, we are growing 115 varieties commercially in 70 ha. Also we have a 0.5 ha of trial house where we are growing 400 trial varieties of 12 different breeders.

Gerbera

As a production man, Gerbera is one of my favorite flower crops to grow; grown Gerbera commercially for 16 years from 1995 to 2011. Last three years (after coming to Kenya), I am out of touch with the crop.

The Gerbera production field looks more beautiful with various colours; Rose commercial Greenhouses/fields look only with buds since Roses will be harvested at cut stage 1 to 1.5 (Roses will be harvested depends on cut stage; cut stage will be decided based on market and destination); we can't see open flowers of Roses in commercial Greenhouses.

But Gerberas will be harvested fully open flowers; fields look awesome; some about Gerbera growing....

1. Plants mostly produced/multiplied by Tissue Culture.

2. Lot of breeders are there in Gerbera; Florist, Terra Nigra, Schreurs, Preesman, Albani...

3. Beds are made in width of 60 to 65 cm; height 1.5 to 2 feet; 2 row planting; plant spacing 30 cm.

4. We can get production around 200 to 260 flowers/sqm/year.

5. Like Carnation, Gerbera also susceptible to soil borne fungus types like Pythium, Phytopthora, Verticillium and Rhisoctonia. Immediately after planting, a systemic fungicide drenching is necessary on planting day. After a week we can repeat the same; afterwards once in a month fungicide drenching should be compulsory on beds. Also a top spray of fungicide - once in a month.

6. Major pests are Leaf miners, Caterpillars (Spodoptera & Heliathis), Thrips, bit of mites...

7. Minimum 2 years we can maintain the crop; if we care, we can pull the life of the crop upto four years.

8. Maintaining bed moisture is a critical factor; should not be wet; should not be more dry also.

9. 30 to 50% black shade nets can be used to regulate light and temp.; responds very well with net regulation.

10. Good quality criteria for Gerbera flowers are dia of 8 to 10 cm and length of 60 cm+.

11. Inland transport is fine; bit long distance transport is a challenge (we have to give more care; may increase the transport cost by using the special type of boxes).

12. Gerbera flowers suits best with arrangements and bouquets with awesome colours availability.

13. Market price will be fluctuating always; we have to play with volume of production.

Cannations

During 1996, when I was in Manjushree, we were having three Rose varieties - Tineke (Tea Hybrid), Baronesse & Wendylight (thornless variety). Soon Baronesse & Wendylight has become outdated in the export market. Then we had gone for new varieties that time - Naranga, Milwa, Skyline and Movie Star.

Also we thought better to diversify into other flower crops other than Roses; then we had gone for Carnations.

What a flower crop!; one of my close to heart crop; love this crop much. I was associated with Carnations for more than 11 years. Carnations, Lillies, Chrysanthemums, Gerberas - I am proud to be friends with them and continuing in my career.

Carnations - few basic briefs....

1. Beds - height 1 to 1.5 ft; width 75 cm; 4 rows planting/bed; plant spacing 15 x 15 cm.

2. Better not to go for high density planting since as Gerbera, Carnations also susceptible to soil fungus.

3. Before planting, beds are should be ready with support structure; stems we can get length of 60 to 90 cm; should be supported with 4 to 5 layers of supporting; each and every stem should be supported. Ready made square netted supports are available in the market.

4. Better price in the market than Gerbera and will not be highly fluctuating.

5. Life of the crop minimum 2 years (cultural practices are very important to maintain life of the crop); we can pull even third year also.

6. Average yield - 190 to 220 flowers/sqm/year (approx. 10 flowers/plant/year).

7. Major breeders - B & B, Selecta, Kooij...

8. Major pests & diseases - Mites, Thrips, Caterpillars, Pythium, Phytopthora, Verticillium...

9. After planting, very good care should be taken for first month since the initial mortality rate will be high; systemic fungicide drenching should be regular with 15 days interval.

10. Calcium deficiency can cause stems brittle and tend to break easily; also boron is essential for good shape of flower head; these both elements can be sprayed foliar also in support.